The National tribune., 1887-06-16
STONE RIVER.
Just Defense OF the Men Who "Siraggled J"
From the Right Of the Army.

From the Right Of the Army.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: How much
more easily is honor won when no calumny is
cast aud no picture of oowardice is before our
ewes. Had Capt. John Aigoe been little lar
ther 20 the front in the battle of Stone River
than Stewards Creek -four miles TO the rear,
he probably would have considered IL the
hravest act Of his life 10 run 10 the rear aud
save himself for another days struggle. All
Tuesday night the Both Of December, ls0R
the rebels were massiug their forces IN front OF
the Divisions of JEFF Z. Davis and johnson, OF
McCooks Corps. Gen. Davis repeatedly re-
ported to McCook and McCOok 10 Gen. Rose
Grams, that large numbers Of troops were being
massed Immediately in their front. They were
ordered TO hold the ground II they could, ana
il ontnumbered 10 fall back stubbornly. Rose
Grams WAS massing on his left, and at the same
time making demonstrations TO induce Bragg
10 think that he was massing on his right and
Bragg vice versa. Both the commanding Cen
erals had good plan for pitched battle. Their
plans were very similar. The setting sun the
evening before the great struggle looked down
upon one of the most fearful contests OF the
war--that Of the 2lst Ills. charging Nltherss
Division.
Bragg began the attack on Rosecrans's right
about half an hour before Rosecrans was to at
tack the rebel right. This difference in time
of the attack was the cause of the terrible re-
pulse of McCook's right aud center, which was
composed OF only single line OF battie. Al
daylight triple and quadruple lines came
marching on this single line. was IN charge
of the ambulance and stretcher corps OF pa
vis's Division (the cente- of McCooks Corps
on that day, and FASTENED with the ambulances
at the first hour of the fight, passing TO the
rear of the Board of Trade Battery, OF Chi
cagO. then located near Hardin's house. we
were trying 10 save the life of Col. Williams, OF
the 25th H., who fell MORALLY wounded, with
flagstaff in hand.
Looking in the direction OF the Board of
Trade Battery, we could see these lines OF reb-
els four in number, rs the battery belched shell
and canister at them, open and close up until
they were seemingly but few yards from the
guns. Then turning TO where Col. Williams
lay another line came aud turned Us back 10
the north side Of Hardin's cottonield, where
we were confronted by n division OF rebel cav
airy, turning us east on the Triune pike run
ming into MurfreesborO. At this point we saw
some comrades carrying Gen. Sills dead body.
A rebel cavalry officer left his command 100
yards distant. rode within 20 feet of Gen.
Sill's body, and with drawn sword yelled,
Surrender you id Yankees!" The words
were scarcely out Of his mouth until himself
and horse were riddled with bullets.
These stragglers were not whipped. That
cavalry was driven back without the aid of a
commander by men termed "stragglers" Go
ing east we made for the Nashville pike and
the Chattanooga g. Nashville Railroad. To the
right and north Of the Board of Trade Battery
was Chaplain wilkins, of the 2lst H., with hat
in hand, crying at the top Of his voice: Boys,
! don't give up! Remember your homes, your
country and your God /" And 200 yards far
Their Roseerans and Rousseau were forming a
new line with division of Crittenden's Corps.
Rosecrans said: Rousseau, you must hold
this position, or all is lost"
Rousseau answered: General, let me 60
back TO the railroad grade, and know can
hold It,"
Old Rosey said: go back to IT,"
Then an appeal was made TO the so-called
"stragglers" They lay down with Ronsseau's
men behind the railroad grade and in the cut
farther north and toward Stewards Creek
where Capt John Algoe camped tho night be-
fore-and awaited the seemingly victorious
rebel hordes as they pressed forward. Rose
Grams and Rousseau passed along this newly
formed line, saying, Boys load your guns and
fix bayonets Dig away the dirt under these
iron rails until you can see through between
the ties. and when you can see the white in
their eyes rise up pick your man-do not lose
your shot by any means, and then make q
bayonet charge, and victory is yours beyond Q
doubt
That order was well executed "Rosecran.
did not know when he was whipped" said the
Chattanooga Rebel The main reason of part
of this threatened disaster was want of am
munitOn. After over three years experience
in marches and battles, and "a years of rehec.
ton, am almost persuaded there were no men,
or at least few Of them, that should be called
stragglers." j tried TO be a close observer o
men and character. There is enough glory in
the war Of the Shareholders rebellion for al
that were in our army. Let us have peace
i am in for the rank and file that were in front
when the battle came, even if they had TO re
treat-HIRAM ii. AsHMoRE, Chaplain, 25tt
Ill. residence not given.